simply insufferable. [link/revali]

by wwwdotwhat

Summary:

“My dearest Princess,
It breaks my heart to raise a grievance with you, but due to certain circumstances, I feel I must.

Please move Champion Revali and Link’s tents.
I beg of you.

Yours, Urbosa.”

<--------->

a revalink slow burn / enemies to friends to lovers because i can't find enough to satiate me and i love writing revali and link.
not beta read, i spit these out with joy and whimsy.
enjoy the ride!

(the champions will not die bc i said so. story will go from pre-calamity, to THE calamity, to post and beyond :p)

Chapter 1: "should've hit him harder."

Summary:

-> "zelda's pet is bothering me greatly."

revali and link meet.
they wish they didn't.

“Sweet MOTHER of Hylia!”

Heart lurching in his chest, Revali threw his bow onto his back like it had bit him. When did a small Hylian boy get in the way? How did a small Hylian boy get up the fierce mountain to be in his way?

Zelda was not letting him pilot that machine if he blew up a child. Cringing, he raised his wings and let the snowy wind carry him down. Landing with a soft crunch, Revali tentatively approached the mass of crumbled rocks.

The good news? No Moblins to be seen.
The bad news? No children to be seen.

Revali shut his eyes, drawing in a deep breath as he prepared to scrape away Hylian pasta and apologise to the princess.
Shuffling behind the rubble, Revali turned up his nose and-

Wait.

Out of the blue, some ungodly force of nature shoved him beak-first into the rock, yelping and floundering.
Before he could even utter a curse, the monster behind him used its disgustingly impressive strength to fling him over its shoulder and slam him into the snow.

“Wait, wait, wait-!!”

The beast had the nerve to drag him by the talons and toss him so high that his wings realised they’d hit peak altitude for flight.
The swirling snowstorm was blinding for the Rito, especially combined with a dazed pain in his head, but he could focus just enough to see the wretched perpetrator drawing a bow.

Oho, no.
Oh, hell no.

In the blink of an eye, Revali was pelting bomb arrows once more, expecting a satisfying puff of black smoke to show his victory.
And yet, nothing came.

This monster must have inhuman health.
But no matter, Revali thought, it would still be no match for him.

He drew his bow once more, eyes darting across the snowfield and seeing the familiar glimmer of steel.
Steel?? How in Hyrule did a low-class monster acquire a steel shield?
Upon closer scrutiny, Revali’s eyes widened at a familiar emblem.
The crest of the royal family.

Oh, shit.

Was he beating up some knight?

Was some knight beating HIM up?

Pausing for just a moment, it seemed the maybe-knight had matched his energy, refusing to fire back. Floating down to the ground, Revali cleared his throat.

“Show yourself!”

As if on cue, the snow settled in the air, and the fog of the frost faded away to reveal a knight wrapped in several silly fabrics to keep him warm. Piercing sapphire eyes stared him down, full of an emotion Revali couldn’t quite put his wingtip on.

He sneered, putting his hands on his hips. “So you decided to attack me like I was some bokoblin, is that it? Hylia forbid I report this to the Princess.”

The knight looked at him like he was an alien.

“I bet you’ll have a lot more to say in front of the King.” Revali scoffed, eyeing the knight and his small stature. “You’re the runt, I assume? Someone’s run-of-the-mill son drafted in to fight?” he chuckled. “And you wanted to assault a future Champion? I’d say brave if it wasn’t so foolish.”

The knight stood like a statue, before breaking the silence with a scoff.

Oh, it was like that, was it?
Fine.

“Kissed by the electric keese, were you? Shocked the words out of your mouth? Or have you realised the gravity of your silly mistake?” Revali taunted, tilting his head for a response.

The knight, finally, moved his hands and began to fold in his fingers to form….

Shiiiit.
Well now Revali felt like a right asshole.

Biting his tongue, Revali let the knight sign a string of words.

“You’re the one who tried to shoot me first.”

“I was trying to shoot a moblin, and then a small child ran into the flurry and-” Revali stopped himself, raising a brow and staring the knight down. “You’re the child, aren’t you.”

The knight deadpanned.

“Well. My apologies for your mistake.” Revali said, nonchalant. “However, I am curious as to how you survived that blast. And how you managed to attack me like that.” He squinted. “Are you magical? Sheikah?”

The knight moved his hands again in sign language. “I’m just that strong. Although, maybe that’s a foreign concept to you.”

Revali’s feathers bristled. “You? Strong? Don’t make me laugh. What are you anyway, some sort of nepo baby?”

The knight pursed his lips. “I’m pretty important, I’d argue. You, however I can’t say I recognise. Are you out here playing?”

Oh, that did it.

“I am TRAINING, thank you! I am Revali, warrior of the Rito and possible pilot to the great Vah Medoh! If I reply to that letter.” he added, muttering. “The point is, I am going to defeat Calamity Ganon.”

The knight’s ears twitched and a small smile graced his unmoving lips. He raised his hands. “You’re gonna do that how? With that magic sword in the legend?” he asked, a little too smug for Revali’s liking.

“I have no doubt the Master Sword will find me when it needs to. And I will be the one to wield it.” Revali huffed. “Hylia will grace me with the honour of being hers, and Princess Zelda will realise how heroic I am.”

The knight smiled and reached behind him to his sword’s sheath. Revali tensed, not putting it past him to randomly attack again.

With an absolutely shit-eating grin, the knight did the impossible.
He pulled the fucking Master Sword from his back.

Before the blue glow could even illuminate Revali’s shocked face, the knight was ripping off his opposing glove to poke the blade, showing off how he could touch it with his bare hands.

There was no more room for shock in Revali’s body.
Only pure, unbridled rage.

“Are…are you telling me…” he sputtered, pointing a finger at the knight. “Are you telling me you’re-”

The knight waggled his eyebrows, sheathing the sword and raising his hands to sign a singular word:

“Bitch."

In half a second, Revali was slinging arrows through his bow and aiming directly at the knight’s nose.
The knight threw his shield out, bracing himself with a scrunched face ready to be humbled by the Great Revali’s explosive show of dominance.

“Stop!”

Revali froze, turning in sync with the knight to see the Princess and a few more knights on horseback, her familiar white steed nearly invisible against the snowy tundra. The knight dropped to his knee, kneeling like a little prick.

“Your Highness.” Revali greeted, sour as he let his bow fall to his side.

“Why on Earth are you attacking each other!?” Zelda asked, eyes darting from the knight to him.

“Your knight here tried to kill me.”

Zelda furrowed her brows. “Link, is that true?”

Link.
Thank Hylia he had a stupid name.

The knight - rather, Link - looked up and simply shrugged.

Zelda clicked her tongue. “Mistakes can be made.” she said, returning her gaze to Revali. “Both of you seem to have mistaken each other for enemies.”

How did she pick up all of that from a shrug??

“However, do not let this spark a rivalry. We need all of our Champions to be allies.” Zelda scolded, watching them both like a disappointed mother.

“Ah, speaking of.” Revali stepped forward, “Is…Link here really trustworthy? He had played a trick on me, with some sort of magic, holding a fake sword of legend and-”

“Link is, in fact, holding the Master Sword, Revali.” Zelda sighed gently. “He is Hylia’s Hero and my personal knight. You’ll do well to respect him. He is an incredible fighter.”

Link turned, eyes wide like a deer's.
What a dickhead.

Revali fought the familiar sting of jealousy rise in his chest and nodded. “My apologies, Your Highness.” he cooed, eyes staring daggers at Link’s. “I hadn’t realised.”

One of the knights beside Zelda tugged a lead behind him, leading a spotted white and brown horse forward. Link perked up, standing to go by its side and rubbing its nose affectionately.

Disgusting. He had a pet.

Stopping himself from watching Link and praying for a trip or fall, Revali cleared his throat. “About your offer then, Princess,” he began.

Zelda’s eyes lit up as she focussed solely on him.

“I accept.” Revali said graciously, bowing slightly. “I am impressed by your decision making in electing me as your Rito Champion.”

Zelda clapped her gloved hands, the sound muffled and dainty. “Thank you, Revali. I am eternally grateful. I’ll have a messenger send letters immediately for what is needed. Hylia be with you.” she gushed, clumsily reaching for her horse’s reins. “We must go before we freeze.” she added, turning to the knights, who began to guide their horses away.

“We can’t all be Rito.” Revali retorted with a chuckled.

Link rolled his eyes.

The Princess bowed her head for the millionth time, expressing goodbyes and thank-yous before Link gently cocked his head to the waiting guards. Leaving Revali behind, Link followed Zelda, turning his head slightly to raise his hand and flip him off.

Petty.
Childish.
Juvenile, even.

Revali scoffed, turning on his heel and launching himself into the air, making an effort to have his Gale whip Link’s hair into his eyes.
Soaring above Hebra, Revali looked down at the stupid knight’s even tinier silhouette.

The Master Sword must have been having a really, really rough day when it chose him.

Notes:

:)

Chapter 2: "bickering."

Summary:

-> "keep your comments in your beak."

complaints.
a short mission.
both of them are impressed.
neither of them say this.

“My dearest Princess,

It breaks my heart to raise a grievance with you, but due to certain circumstances, I feel I must.

 

Please move Champion Revali and Link’s tents.

I beg of you.

 

 

-Yours, Urbosa.”

 

<—-->

 

The sun rose for the third week of training. Link wished it didn’t.

The cursed Rito Champion emerged from his tent, flourishing the canvas open like a curtain on a stage. 

“How’s the leg, Hero?” Revali sneered, “My sincerest apologies for the accident. I really did think you were a baby Moblin.” he cooed, voice dripping with sarcasm.

Choosing a path of blissful ignorance, Link continued to buckle his boots.

“Such little words and such little physique.” The stupid bird continued, “I mean, really, I could crush you.”

Link bit his tongue.

“Honestly, I’m surprised you didn’t snap like a twig yesterday. I heard muscle was something you Hylians deem attractive - and after seeing your lack of, I must say I agree. What a shame you’re so sadly ugly.”

The dirt suddenly became incredibly captivating as Link glued his eyes to it, praying for a thunderbolt to start frying chicken before he did.

“Really, Link, nothing brings me more joy than hearing your pathetic little whimpers.”

That’s it. 

Link raised his hands. “Yeah? Getting off on them, are we?” 

Revali spluttered, bristling. “Oh, must you be so lewd!?” he squawked. “Disgusting! I have a right mind to tell the Princess you’re utterly foul!”

Link gave him a shit-eating grin.

“Ugh! I’ll end you before Ganon has the chance, you mark my words.”

Link flapped his hand in a talking motion, turning away to focus on his sword beside him. Revali smoothed his feathers, clucking as he turned on his heel.

“I don’t care how many admire you, you’re a pest and everyone ought to know.” 

 

<—-->

 

“I’m worried, Link.”

Link stood by the edge of the bridge connecting Zelda’s room to her study. She was pacing, dress gliding behind her with practiced grace.

“I don’t quite know the logistics behind….male rivalry….but I need you to befriend Revali.” she said, cringing. “Please.”

Link frowned. 

“I know, I know. I’m fully aware he is…arrogant, as a character. But he is incredibly talented. Gifted, even. A true warrior. I’ve seen him around the Rito youth, they admire him and he really does have a soft spot-”

Link scoffed.

“-but the more you two fight, the more he hides that and becomes….” Zelda paused, grimacing. “Irritable.”

“As long as you know he starts it.”

Zelda pointed a finger at him. “Oh, now don’t you lie to me. I see you kicking each other like children. What is it about him that irks you so?”

 

Link leaned back against the bridge’s edge. He clasped his hands together. 

Zelda stopped her pacing, her eyes lingering.

 

Clearing his throat, Link spoke. “He’s not what a Champion should be.”

“Personality wise?”

“Yes. Revali is rude, and cocky, and-”

“And jealous.” Zelda cut him off. “He is clearly jealous. That is what motivates his hatred of you .”

Link scrunched his nose. “It isn’t my fault I was chosen and he wasn’t.”

“I know.” 

“He acts like I deliberately asked Hylia to not choose him specifically.” 

“And you act like you did ask her that.”

Sighing, Link looked behind him over the castle fields. In the castle town, amongst the tents and preparation tables, he could see the Champions. Urbosa laughing with Mipha, Daruk sharpening arrows on his forearm with Revali, who was clearly trying not to be impressed.

He could practically hear the dismissive insults.

Zelda came toward him, reaching for his hands and holding them in hers. “I know it’s a big ask. I know he is difficult. But we must stay focussed. There is a war coming, Link. You and I both play a pivotal role.” she said, determined. “We need Revali.”

 

<—-->

 

“I don’t need you.”

“Yes, you do.”

Revali raised his eyebrows. “You do talk.”

“To those worthy.” 

The Rito scoffed. “Oh, I consider myself blessed.”

Ignoring his remark, Link pulled his horse’s reins, stopping her in their tracks. “Let’s just take out this camp and be on our way.”

“Hmph. I still stand by the fact I could do this myself. But if you want to witness my skill, be my guest.” 

Sent by King Rhoam, Revali and Link had been on the journey through the Hyrule Plains to find a bokoblin camp that had been thriving too well for comfort. The monsters, many of which were black and silver, had been worrying passer-bys and instilling the very valid fear that Ganon was commanding higher status creatures.

Due to their stature and skill, the two men had been selected for their stealth ability and efficient strategy. Revali’s aerial expertise could handle the levels of the camp, and Link’s strength and stealth could easily wipe out the forces before they charged.

Unfortunately, the tension was the second villain they’d neglected to prepare for.

“Your horse is very loud.”

“Seriously?” Link replied, scowling. “Just have to have your beak flapping, do you?”

“I’m expressing an opinion. Isn’t that what allies do?” Revali eyed the spotted mare. “And, as your ally, I’m saying your horse is fittingly boisterous.”

“She’s done nothing to you.” Link fired back. “You attack me all you want, leave Cerise out of it.”

Revali snorted. “Oh, it has a name! How darling . Didn’t know you were fond of little sidekicks.”

“I’m not. I can’t stand you.”

The second the words tumbled from his mouth, he regretted them. Cringing, Link dared a look to the side, instantly snapping his gaze away when he saw the fury in Revali’s emerald eyes.

 

They continued in silence.

 

Before long, the trees around them began to thin out, and sloppy wood structures littered the path. Ears pricking up at scuttles and grunts, Link stopped to leave Cerise behind a rock formation, safe.

He cracked his knuckles, drawing his sword. 

“Maybe I’ll start naming things, too.” Revali said suddenly, rolling his shoulders. “For example, that red bokoblin looks rather like a Link .” He slammed his wings to the ground, letting a Gale billow around him, carrying leaves into the wind. “Let me go and say hello!” 

Whistling into the sky, Revali flew beyond the camp’s rooftops, loading his arrows in familiar routine.

It was impossible to ignore how all three of them pierced through the red bokoblin at the top.

 

Two could play that game.

 

Link crept outside the walls of the camp, letting Revali inflate his ego for a while with the monsters up high.

Peering through the gaps of wood, he scanned the yard. Moblins, two of them. Only one silver. Bokoblins - a lot. A minor swarm, but a swarm nonetheless. They were ready, too; Link took note of meat scraps along the floor. They’d just been fed. 

Lined along a log were weapons - always the same foolish formation that was so enticing to steal. 

Revali picked off what he wanted, unfortunately very skillfully, sending scout monsters tumbling before they could reach their horns.

Sliding through a gap in the wall, Link crept through the back of the camp, fighting the familiar adrenaline-powered grin that threatened to flood his face.

Through a crack of wood, he slid his sword, impaling one moblin in half a second. The key was to aim for the lungs before the monster roared - a technique Link had learned through gruelling training, drills, and experience, where he-

“Please, idiot, take your time!”

 

A shriek. A horn.

Roars.

 

“Hylia’s SAKE!” Link yelled to the sky as bokoblins began to blindly scramble for their clubs. “The King said stealth!”

“To your left!” Revali called. Link dived behind a steel box as the Rito pelted fire arrows to explosives. Dickhead. He could have done that from the ground.

Link leapt atop the box, lunging into battle. He dodged every predictable attack - smaller monsters just loved to blindly swing.

With a running start, he scaled the wall, kicking his feet off of it to send him flying through the air. Time slowed, and with Hylia’s help, Link reached his hand out, closing a fist over an arrow in mid-air and redirecting it to pierce a bokoblin’s eye.

Landing with a roll, Link lifted his shield to dodge a remaining arrow.

Revali rolled his eyes, wings flapping at his sides, bow held in his talons as he floated above him. “Ooh, do a cartwheel next time. Sooo unnecessary.”

“You’re-” Link kicked a bokoblin in the shin, “-You’re killing me here!”

“I wish I was!”

Link ran, throwing himself up a ladder and narrowly missing a pouncing monster. Slicing through a swarm on the camp’s second floor, he let Revali pick off the remaining from the yard. With ease, they worked in tandem.

 

Again, unfortunately, making them a perfect team.

They both knew it, too. The benefits were never ending and they hated it.

 

Finally, the silver Moblin stomped toward him. “Revali!” Link called, running to jump from a wall. Revali obliged, sending a flurry of arrows straight at the Hylian. Slowing time once more, Link took hold of two and aimed them straight for the moblin’s eyes.

For Revali, the trick was done at the speed of sound. He blinked, hard, watching Link hit the moblin over and over with flurry rushes until it roared its last roar, bursting into smoke.

He landed beside Link, slinging his bow over his shoulder. “How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Sorry, the inhuman speed. I should clarify which super-power next time, that’s on me.”

Link rolled his eyes, turning away to dust himself off.

“...No, really. How?”

“You want to know??”

“Obviously, idiot .” Revali snapped. “That’s why I asked.”

Link raised an eyebrow. “Why do you want to know?”

“You and your incessant questions!” Revali bristled. “Nevermind! I’ll work it out myself.” he dove from the platform, flying to the trees and walking to Link’s horse. “Come and get your pet.” 

Climbing down the ladder, Link joined him, patting Cerise’s nose. “I think it’s a gift from Hylia.”

“It’s a horse.”

“Wh- No, the power. Halting time while midair.”

Revali clicked his tongue. “Of course it is. Gods forbid she gifts the only flying species something like that.”

“I don’t know why she didn’t.” Link replied, thoughtful. “You’d be incredible with it.”

Revali furrowed his brows, watching Link saddle Cerise and set off. “...I’m waiting for your punchline.”

Link turned. “There isn’t one. Objectively, you’d be very efficient to slow time.”

“Objectively.” Revali echoed, following along. “Good choice of word, I almost thought you complimented me.”

“If you ever catch me doing that, shoot me, because it’s an imposter.”

“And vice versa.” 

“Noted.” Link replied.

“Good.” Revali shot back.

“Fantastic.”

“Incredible.”

“Ah, like me if I had time powers.”

“Don’t push it.”

Notes:

hope youre all enjoying!

:))

Chapter 3: "remorseful discovery."

Summary:

-> "...wait so he's not just an asshole?"

revali comes home.
link confides in urbosa and discovers the bird HAS got a heart.

Revali would be lying if he said the solemness of the village wasn’t getting to him.

 

Teba and Harth wouldn’t stop muttering in hushed whispers, shooting him glances like he was an unknowing chick.

Tapping his foot impatiently, Revali resorted to glaring.

 

Teba cracked first, sighing and beckoning him forward. 

 

“You’re certain you don’t want troops with you in the beast? Or at least me?” he asked, that stupid fatherly concern evident. “I couldn’t live with myself if I let you up there alone and you….” he stopped himself. 

 

Revali grimaced, arms over his chest. “I’ll have you know I will succeed with Medoh. No matter what Ganon tosses my way.” he looked at Harth. “I know that woman has been yelling about how Ganon will place his beasts in our own, but I don’t think he will.”

 

“Purah is definite.” Teba replied, “Ganon wouldn’t let us have such an upper hand without restricting it somehow. Things are too good to be true. And the guardians are powerful, but subjective to magic if it’s potent enough.” he shrugged, eyes tired. “So she’s worried about corruption of our machines.”

 

Revali tutted. “And what does Hero of Hyrule say about this?”

 

“We were hoping we could ask him together.”

 

“When?”

 

“Now.” Teba cocked his head forward. Revali turned, frowning at the sight of Link by the door. He stood with Teba’s chick. It seemed they’d come back from somewhere together.

 

Gross.

Leave it to Link to ‘network’ and corrupt the children of his village.

Blech . Of course he would run around, scooping up the youth and bragging. 

Rito Village was a place for the refined. The delicate. Not the clumsy and stupid. Tulin better not have been influenced. He had so much potential.

 

Revali knew Link by now. It’d been two months, and nothing had changed. Link was still the idiotic Hylian chosen by the Gods, and Revali was still the Champion nobody had heard of.

 

He’d show them, though. He’d show them all.

They just had to wait.

 

And not for long, it seemed. The skies were darker now - forests louder with monsters, villages quieter. Zelda was hunting down every magical spring she could think of, coming back crying to Link in agony or fear.

Fear wasn’t a word in Revali’s language. He knew only determination.

He couldn’t wait to prove it.

 

But for now? For now he was basking in the chrips of little Tulin.

 

Revali hoisted Tulin up in the crook of his arm, resting on his hip. He turned to Link. “ You surely don’t buy Purah’s blather about corrupted guardians, do you?” he droned. 

 

Link raised his hands. Revali took notice of a crimson blush to his knuckles, just shy of blood. Had he bruised them somehow? It wasn’t like him to enter Hebra without protective gear. 

 

“ I trust her completely. It’s a possibility and we should be prepared.”

 

“Eh? What did I say.” Teba pointed, “Better to be safe than sorry.”

 

Letting Tulin fidget with his scarf, Revali stood in thought. “I am happy to prepare, then. If the Hero Link here insists . ” he added with a mutter.

 

“Glad my opinion matters so much to you. ” 

 

“Don’t start.” Harth interrupted, sighing. “Please.”

 

<—-->

 

The next week, Link found himself left with Urbosa, as the other champions had stayed behind with Zelda to position guardians and divine beasts. Every move they made registered that the attack plan grew nearer. 

Link and Urbosa stood under a shelter, trying to squint to see the evolving setup.

 

There was a gentle silence over them.
Link broke it with a clap of his hands.

 

“He’s growing on me.”

 

Urbosa folded her arms, smiling. “Revali? Is he now?”

 

Link scrunched his nose. “...Okay, no.” he admitted. “I’m trying to psych myself into it.”

 

Snorting, the Gerudo looked down at him. “You have to teach yourself patience, little knight. It’s a power we all hold, but many fail to tap into.”

 

Rain covered the field beyond them, the tapping of droplets against canvas tents almost too loud for comfort. The breeze, chilly, was seeping through Link’s tunic the more he waited for the other Champions. How Urbosa wasn’t cold in Gerudo garb, he’d never know.

 

“I’ve never felt the need to beat him, you know?” Link began. “I thought I did when we met - he accidentally shot at me, and I was defending myself and yeah, sure, I got a little wild on him, but since then I’ve just been trying to get by.” he sighed. “I will stand up for myself if I need to. And I know I get frustrated sometimes, and I fire back-” he added quickly, “But I wish he’d just shut up!”

 

“As in stop teasing?”

 

“I- I don’t know!” Link huffed, eyebrows furrowed. “I don’t want to be here right now! I hate that I’m supposed to kill the literal embodiment of evil. I hate that everywhere I go, people are worshipping me or cheering at me or trying to get into my fucking pants.” Link laughed hollowly. “I don’t feel like me anymore. I feel like a concept. So if Revali wants that so damn badly he can have it.”

 

Urbosa hummed. She looked at him, thoughtful. “Hylia gave you a big role, Link. I’m sorry.”

 

Link frowned, slumping against the wall and signing. “Don’t be.”

 

“But Hylia is wise.” Urbosa turned her gaze out to the greying horizon, where the castle lay. “You’re still ‘Link’. She chose you to be the Hero because she knew you had it in you. Don’t change to fit the legend. You’re already in it. However you act will become your story. Does that make sense?”

 

Link sniffed. “I’m sure it will soon. But even if I learn to accept my fate, or love myself, or whatever, it doesn’t change Revali. It doesn’t change the fact he’s becoming an obstacle.” 

 

“It’s not Revali that must change to fix you two, it’s your understanding of each other.”

 

Link raised a brow.

 

“If you think about it, Revali wasn’t born into royalty like Mipha, or leadership like Daruk and myself. He worked from the ground up. He is gifted because he fought to be.” Urbosa said, solemn. “Zelda has seen him crack. His arrogance is a shield for his insecurity. Understanding that changes things, does it not?”

 

Link picked at his sleeve, the ends fraying with tireless work. He nodded. 

It did change things.

 

Knowing that Revali wasn’t just pure and absolute scum meant that now Link felt like the asshole. Were any of Revali’s insults justified now?
…Were any of them really cruel, or just stemming from jealousy?

 

“I feel bad.” he voiced aloud. “But won’t pitying him confirm his fear of being inferior?”

 

“It would.” Urbosa smiled. “But I think you should let pity make way for acceptance. And gentleness.”

 

“Kill him with kindness.”

 

Urbosa laughed, throwing her head back. “As long as you aren’t taking that mentality to Ganon, I think you’ll be alright.” she chuckled, resting a hand on Link’s shoulder.

 

They looked out together as small silhouettes of the others began to near.

 

“We’ll be alright.”

Chapter 4: "swear to hylia."

Summary:

-> "i just think i'm best suited to watch him."

urbosa meddles.
does it fix things?
you decide.
revali gains the first inkling of awareness.

“Shh, it’s alright sweetheart.” Urbosa rested her hand on the shoulder of a scared Hylian nurse, staring up into the sky. 

 

Another blood moon. 

They used to be monthly, but this was the third of the week, and everyone knew the Calamity was growing dangerously close.

 

Across the camp, Zelda was standing basked in red moonlight, her eyes shut in prayer. Her lips moved wordlessly, her hands clasped together. 

Villages were on lockdown. Revali and a few brave Rito were delivering supplies from hunters, but shops were starting to struggle.

 

They needed to take out the threat now. But were they ready?

 

Really, truly ready?

Urbosa bit her lip. No. No they were not.

And that scared her greatly. 

The Champions were strong, otherworldly so, but they hadn’t clicked into the alliance Zelda had begged them to. Playful complaints at Link and Revali had become genuine and frustrated yells - she knew the Hylian was trying his damndest, but the second Revali jabbed, he’d fly back at twice the strength.

 

It was getting dangerous.

It was getting stupid.

 

…So maybe earlier today she’d led them down a deliberately dangerous path. Maybe.

 

If there was time to meddle, it was NOW. They couldn’t afford another week of unstable rivalry.

Urbosa had taken things into her own hands, determined. She’d demanded Revali and Link take out another ‘monster camp’ near Rito Village, (expertly chosen because she knew that would get Revali off of his ass), and come back when everything was defeated. 

Little did they know, they were headed for a Yiga Clan hideout in Hebra. 

Urbosa was certain that Revali’s expertise in his home region, and Link’s power and stealth would make them learn to adapt and appreciate each other. It had to.

 

So now, as the moon rose for night, she awaited their return.

 

What the camp didn’t expect was only one silhouette to arrive.

Mipha jogged over, wringing her hands. “Revali! Where-”

 

As the figure approached the light she realised it was Revali cradling a very much unconscious Link in his arms.

…Albeit with a distasteful snarl on his beak.

 

Mipha gasped. “Link! Is he-”

“Goodness me, he’s fine .” Revali droned, turning to shield Link from the camp’s helpers. “Is there somewhere private you can wake him? I don’t want them to…” he rolled his eyes. “Lose morale.”

 

Mipha rushed him to the medical tents. “What happened to him?” she asked, zipping the canvas shut and laying Link onto a stretcher.

 

“The fool got knocked on the right side of the head trying to dodge a blademaster.” Revali recounted, standing by the wall as Mipha fussed with Link’s hair. “Unlike him to be hit.”

 

“It is.” Mipha replied, looking over her shoulder. “...Was it your doing?”

 

“Wh- Excuse me, it was not. He just had to yell back at me and miss a dodge.” Revali added, muttering.

 

Sighing, Mipha let her hands glow over Link’s hair, her blue light shining over blonde, casting a sort of ethereal glow over the Hylian’s face. 

The soft bruise across his cheek seemed to melt away into the warm peach of his skin. It was strange to see it without its pink flush from the cold.

 

Not that Revali would have noticed something like that. Just that it was out of the ordinary.

 

The Rito looked away, folding his arms over his chest. He inhaled, deeply. “Will he be alright?”

 

“Most definitely.” Mipha said, arm still floating over Link, “He’s just been concussed. Nothing he hasn’t seen before.” she chuckled fondly. 

 

Revali grimaced.

 

“He’ll be awake soon. Thank you. For returning him safely.” She said softly. “It means very much to us.” She moved her hand to delicately tuck a strand of hair behind Link’s ear, letting it linger just long enough for it to register as a strangely affectionate caress.

 

Suddenly, Revali’s legs took control, throwing himself forward to plop down onto the seat next to Link’s head, letting him stare directly at Mipha, who coughed delicately.

 

“I think you should go. I can watch him.”

 

Mipha tilted her head. “Kind of you, but there’s really not-”

 

“I brought him here, I’ll watch him and-”

 

“I don’t see why we both can’t-”

 

“Nonsense, Mipha, I said I’ll-”

 

“You’re really escalating this, can’t we-”

 

Link stirred, sending them both into tense silence. He scrunched his face, then stilled again, eyebrows furrowed. Revali, like a hawk, didn’t stop scanning Link’s features until he was definite he’d gone back to painless, unconscious sleep.

..Because you know. If Link clocked out right now it was over. They needed Mr. Hero. Obviously.

 

Apparently he’d been staring too long when he met Mipha’s gaze. It was some sort of gentle, disgustingly knowing look that Revali hated was on him. 

Mipha gave him a tiny smile. “I’ll leave.” she announced, her chair scraping behind her. She giggled, softly. “I think I understand.” 

Watching her exit in silence, Revali raised an eyebrow. “..Wait, what do you understand? Mipha!?” he called, but it was no use. Her shadow crossed the tent and left. 

 

“Gods’ sake.” he muttered, turning back to Link. The bastard better wake up, he needed to give him a piece of his mind. Who in Hyrule lets themselves get knocked out and lets themselves miss the Great Revali taking down 4 Yiga Clan fighters? 

If Link was going to be the legendary Hero he couldn’t be making mistakes like that.

Huffing, Revali settled in the chair. His eyes wandered to the subject at hand, who looked like he was taking a peaceful nap in the call of battle.

 

Typical.

 

His tunic was still a little dirty, his boots splattered with mud. Thank the heavens he wasn’t born a Rito, Revali thought, because he’d be outcast instantly from his lack of grooming.
Still, it didn’t mean Mipha needed to get all up in his hair. Really, that was pointless. Link didn’t need someone fiddling with his hair.

 

…The weird amount of anger that bubbled in Revali’s stomach at the thought of Mipha fixing Link’s hair was starting to unnerve him.

 

Thankfully in that moment, Hylia blessed Link with the basic ability to wake the fuck up. 

 

Revali clicked his tongue in what was definitely only mild relief. “Ahem. You’re awake.”

 

Link wiped his eyes with balled fists before graciously declaring - “..You’re in my room.”

 

“Tch,” Revali looked around, clucking at the dirty canvas. “Hardly ‘your room’. This is a medical tent.”

 

Link furrowed his brows. “It is? Wait, where am I?”

 

Revali snapped his head back to him. “What? The base, idiot. Don’t start forgetting things, we need you to do your ‘godly job’ next week.” He made air-quotes, flexing his wingtips in disdain.

 

Link went to prop himself up, wincing slightly.

Revali’s hand twitched at his side.

 

“My job?” Link asked, eyes a little too wide for comfort. He shook his head, reaching a hand to gingerly rub the left of it. “..Who are you, again?”

 

“W- Hello? The Champion of the Rito! Revali!” he spluttered, “We’ve been…comrades! For months!” 

At Link’s shrug, he groaned. He’d start ripping feathers out if he wasn’t so civilised and mature. 

 

“Hylia, have you given yourself some sort of amnesia! Link! You need to snap back to it before I hit you and start at square one again!” he groaned, gripping the armrests of his chair. “Do you need an ego boost? Because here - only you can hold the Master Sword, you’re incredibly important, and as a Champion, I need my Hero of Hyrule to fulfill his duty-”

 

Link raised his brows, and the words died on Revali’s tongue. 

 

“...Link.”

 

“ Your Hero, am I?”

 

He’d been played like a cheap kazoo. “If this is a prank.” Revali began, squinting. 

 

Link sat, his back to the wall, smirking. “I didn’t think you were so fond of me. How far we’ve come.”

 

The whole camp seemed to hit a deafening silence.

 

“..Rage.” Revali whispered. “Rage is starting to feel like an old friend.”

 

“Better one than none, right?”

 

And then, Revali let out a strangled, guttural cry that Link could have sworn he’d heard come out of a Molduga. He watched the Rito open and close his fists, then jump from his chair, pacing back and forth. His left eye twitched.

 

Link stifled a chuckle.

 

“Let’s set some groundwork.” he spat after a brief moment, whirling around to glare daggers at Link. “Rule number one, you shut up, and we stay civil. Rule two!” he interrupted, shutting Link’s mouth. “You don’t put words in my beak.”

 

“So I’m not your beloved Hero.”

 

“You certainly are not.”

 

Link smiled, sweetly. “Shame. I’ll keep that in mind when I save the world.”

 

“Rule three.” Revali said, stepping toward the bed. “When this Calamity is over, and you do your job ,” he jabbed a finger onto Link’s chest, “We never ever speak again. Deal?”

 

Link looked down at his finger, then to his face. “Deal,” he shrugged. “I swear to Hylia.”

 

Seemingly satisfied, Revali stood back, making an effort to wipe his wingtip down his skirt. “Swear to Hylia,” he echoed. “Wonderful. Peace treaty sorted.”

 

He stood there for a moment, composing himself. Link looked him up and down.

 

“So, want to tell me why you were waiting here for me to wake up?”

 

“...Zelda asked me.” Revali said, very quickly. “That’s the TRUTH. One more word, and I gut you.”

 

Link raised his hands.

 

“THAT INCLUDES YOUR STUPID SIGN LANGUAGE!”

Notes:

you didnt think id let link snooze all chapter did you? ;)
hope you enjoyed this! the ride from here on out is gonna get deliciously angsty with the calamity!

side note :
who plays deltarune? ive been sippin on that shit, ive been into it since it came out and im so glad new chapters are out :p

Chapter 5: "medoh and meddling."

Summary:

-> "you, there. did you see hero of hyrule moping that way?"

solitude or company?
hard to pick a favourite in war.

Notes:

HALLO!
this took me a yonk and a half to write! but im here now! yippee!

Medoh soared above the Village, the whirrs of machinery only just audible. Purah really had done an excellent job restoring the ancient technology in the beast.

If only he could pilot without the pest on board, sitting on HIS beast’s wing.

 

“So…looks like I found a way up here on my own.”

 

Revali pursed his lips, focussing on tilting the console to feel for the steering. Really, moving Medoh felt more sacred than a steering wheel conveyed. It was like they were connected - destined to unite in pursuit of good.

It made Revali feel proud.

 

Finally. A giant, visual reminder that he was, in fact, meant to be here.

Revali smiled.

 

Running a wingtip across the sandstone of the console, he hummed in thought. Admittedly, it was a blow to his ego when Link STOLE the draft of his Gale and floated up to HIS Divine Beast...but really, he was already over it.

 

The joy and satisfaction of having his own ancient battle machine that spoke to him was way damn better than whatever Link was trying to do. Sure, it was no Master Sword, but it was like a friend. An ally.

 

Not that the word “ally” was synonymous with “friend”. 

Blech.

 

“Revali.”

 

“Hm? What?”

 

“You’re not you.”

 

Deadpan, he turned to the Hylian, taking note of the bastard’s sassy stance. Hands on hips and everything. Ugh.

“Is it because I’m not giving you the time of day, Link ?”

 

“Yeah,” Link chuckled in surprise, “It might be. What got into you? Threat of the world ending? Or do you like me now?”

Revali narrowed his eyes. “Maturity, actually.”

“Ohh, that’s rich.” Link snickered, moving to stand beside him at the console. His eyes scanned the ancient markings and buttons, pausing to linger on the SOS signal. The energy grew thick with something Revali hoped wasn’t pity.

It sure felt like pity.

 

“Do not touch anything.” he mumbled, trying to break the tension.

 

Link held his hands in surrender. “Wasn’t gonna. It’s a nice machine.”

 

“She’s beautiful, yes.” 

 

“She?” Link raised a brow, “We’re naming it and stuff?”

 

“We aren’t doing anything. I am simply being affectionate to my battle ally.”

 

“That’s a first.”

 

“Jealous?”

 

“Terribly.”

 

Revali snorted under his breath. Link looked at him. “Did you just laugh? At my sarcasm? My joke?”

 

“Ugh, don’t let it go to your head. It’s big enough.”

“Look who’s talking.”

 

Revali gave him a look.

Link shrugged, grinning.

 

Maybe Link wasn’t so bad.

Revali nearly threw up registering that thought, but the serenity from Medoh, his newfound pride and joy, had put him in a much-needed good mood.

And unfortunately, Link could tell.

“Happy now that you’re able to pilot, yeah?” he asked, strangely genuine. It seemed he picked up on that, clearing his throat and adding, “It’s no sword, but you know.”

 

“At least my Medoh’s not compensating for somethiiiing.” Revali sang, tilting the console. Link hit his arm.

 

“Whatever.” Link scoffed, fighting a small smile. “Before we fight Ganon, I guess I want you to know I’m glad you’re not trying to fucking kill me every 30 seconds.”

 

Revali rolled his eyes. “I’m touched .”

 

“Yeah, there’s a first time for everything.”

 

It was Revali’s turn to hit him.

 

<—-->

 

The wind whistled through the long blades of grass, small white flowers bending to its will. That afternoon, Link reported back to Zelda for orders or advice.

She had given him a look. A look where her eyes softened, and her eyebrows did that familiar furrow of guilt.

She sent him home. To farewell his home.

Of course, those weren’t her words, but the pity bleeding through her stare was enough to tell Link that she was either pretty sure Hateno could be damaged, or pretty sure he could die.

 

Both were possible these days.

 

So now Link stood, safe inside his Hateno cottage, inhaling the scent of wood and gardenia. He hated letting his emotions bubble to the surface - let alone during war preparation - but being back home seemed to tug them out of him.

Eyebrows furrowed, Link flexed his fingers by his side. 

Photo frames. Wooden plates stacked beside the pot he adored cooking with. Bundles of wheat and rice stashed on an oak shelf. The coat rack hanging onto his patchy jacket from 3 summers ago. Bits of hay tracked in near the door. Cerise’s desolate stable outside, now inhabited by a tiny bird’s nest.

 

So full, but so empty.

 

Link found comfort in community, he did, but since moving to the castle, surrounded by bustling servants and guards…

He craved the familiarity of solitude more than ever.

 

He missed wandering the plains of Hyrule, venturing to every corner of the world he could find. Bringing souvenirs or produce to friends and riding Cerise for weeks, showing her the waterfalls of Faron, and sandstone of Gerudo.

Knighthood was his honour. His destiny. 

And Zelda had become family.

 

But sometimes?

 

Sometimes Link missed being Link.

 

Exhaling sharply, he blinked the unwelcome sting from his eyes, marching to the dining table to replace the flowers at its centre.

He wished he had some sort of safflina, or Silent Princess, but due to how busy he’d been, the best he could gather were blue nightshades. 

 

Zelda had once told Link he reminded her of nightshades. She’d laughed that day; “I wouldn’t be surprised if you shone blue in the dark, too, with those eyes.”

 

Link chuckled through his nose, fondly shuffling the nightshade buds. 

His ears twitched. A scuffle from outside. A bird?

 

No.

Larger.

 

…A larger bird.

 

Confused, (and unwilling to jump to conclusions), Link turned, squinting out the window. 

 

He could hear grass crunch just tenderly enough to be beneath talons. He swung open the door.

 

With a yelp, none other than Revali jumped, instinctively swatting Link across the head. He didn’t bother to dodge. “Gods, must you appear like that!?”

 

“You’re the one sneaking around my house.” Link replied, rubbing his head. “How did you get here?”

 

Revali smoothed his feathers. “You’re terrible at covering your tracks.”

 

Link folded his arms.

 

“Tch...fine. I asked the villagers.”

 

“I figured. …Why?”

 

“Would you believe me if I said I was bored and needed a victim?”

 

“No. Are you upset about packing up your home?”

 

“No.” Revali peered behind the Hylian. “You lived here? Before the castle?”

 

“Dodged the question.” Link muttered, opening the door for him and beckoning him inside. The Rito rolled his eyes, talons clacking across the wood planks. His eyes wandered, scanning the small home from floor to ceiling. Link shut the door, stuffing his hands into his pockets.

 

Revali ran a wingtip across the table, clicking his tongue. “When was the last time you cleaned?”

 

“What is this, an inspection?” Link watched him crouch to analyse the table. “I haven’t lived here for years.”

 

“Years?” Revali’s eyes widened. “I thought you were appointed knight this year?”

 

Link moved to sit on the edge of the table (much to Revali’s dismay.) “I don’t remember the last time I was…a regular Hylian.”

 

“What, Hylia just called you one day and said, ‘Fancy a change of plans?’”

 

“Kind of.”

 

Revali almost softened, standing up. “Oh.”

 

“Everything changed when I held the Master Sword. I’d always been spiritual but it was so incredibly strong, and…” he shrugged. “His Majesty had heard of my skills before my destiny, so I was already in training. Things fell straight into place.”

 

“How on Earth did you transition?” Revali asked with a smirk. “You’d be a mess.”

 

“I was. I was happy, though.”

“Oh, don’t lie.”

“I’m not. I like being a knight. I love it, I do. But you really get tired of the legend being hung over your head like a glorified death sentence. It weighs on the spirit.”

 

Revali hummed. “I suppose I relate to a semblance of that. But vice versa. Nobody thinks I’m the Rito Champion in the prophecy.”

 

“As if.”

 

“I’m serious!” Revali grimaced, hands on hips. “I train day and night, I create a power no other can yield, I tolerate idiots for the good of mankind, and Teba looks at me like a hatchling who they substituted in for a sports team!”

 

“You need curry rice.”

 

“I beg your pardon.”

 

“Curry rice,” Link repeated, jumping up to search his kitchen bench. “It’s delicious. Soothes the soul. Soothes the, uh…insecurity.”

 

“Well then, I wouldn’t need it. I have no such thing.”

 

“I always knew you were soulless.”

 

“Not that, you buffoon. I have no insecurities.”

 

Link shut his cupboard doors. “The day you admit you’re imperfect - as we ALL are - is the day I will make you curry rice.”

 

“I’m not eating your rice.”

 

“Fine. I’ll eat it."

 

“With the bottomless pit you have for a stomach? I don’t doubt it.”

 

Link snorted.

 

Revali fought back a smile.

 

They locked eyes.

 

They laughed.

Notes:

:) curry rice mmm save me curry rice

Chapter 6: "two beginnings."

Summary:

-> "if you insist, i'll go with you."

things start sooner than revali thought they would.
and things start sooner than revali hoped they would.

“Try to keep up!”

 

Sprinting, Link’s spiked shoes seemed to defy gravity, carrying him across the sands. He spun quickly, throwing his shield down and stamping on it, sending himself surfing down the sand dunes, matching Revali’s airborne speed.

 

The Rito laughed, flying with his back parallel to the ground. “Impressive!” he called, “But I’ve seen it before!”

 

Link bent his knees, balancing his weight to speed along the dunes. He skidded to the side, spinning on the spot and landing with precision. Hm. A mere show-off’s trick, if Revali said so himself.

 

Revali pumped his wings faster, spiralling midair to overtake Link, his shadow blocking the sun. Link looked up, his hair pulled back with a Voe headdress. “Oh, here’s something you’re good for!” Link laughed, thankful he didn’t have to keep squinting. 

 

Scoffing, Revali fought the familiar tug of a smile on his beak. “Don’t get used to it!” 

He gave in, grinning and slowing his speed to let the harsh Gerudo sun scathe Link once more.

 

“Gah!! Hylia’s sake!” Link shielded his face with his forearm, and if Revali wasn’t mistaken, he could swear he heard another laugh.

 

He chuckled along, still flying just above Link as they traversed the Gerudo desert. Close to the town, but far enough to have room for stunts and ego-boosting races. 

Indulgent fun, really.

They needed it.

 

In fact, Urbosa nearly fell over upon hearing Link’s request to show Revali Gerudo. Being a Rito, heat was his sworn enemy, but with the insistence from his new ally (and sapphire-encrusted braids), Revali was admiring golden sand for the first time.

 

He never knew why he didn’t travel. It was so strange - to be in the same world, but have it feel like a different realm altogether. 

 

Exhilarated, he watched Link wave his hand for a direction, following the Hylian back over the sand hills to Gerudo Town.

They soared together, almost. Looking down at Link, Revali could have sworn he was flying. His blonde hair whipping behind him, clothes rippling with the wind, and a smile so permanent it reminded Revali of his own love for flight.

In the sky, he was always smiling.

 

It seemed Link smiled anywhere. Land, sea, sky…

He found a way to enjoy it. To effortlessly travel. To move. 

Without wings, too.

It was admirable.

 

Before he knew it, Link was sliding to a halt near the Gerudo gates. Huffing, but not entirely out of breath, the Hylian was laughing again .

It seemed he spat out endless joy. An adrenaline seeker. 

Revali had learnt that lately.

 

He landed gracefully, puffs of sand rolling away from him as his talons settled into the slightly-too-hot grains.

 

Revali kicked his feet, trying to shake the sand with a scowl. Brushing down his legs, he huffed, allowing the tiniest smirk to worm its way on his face. Maybe the rush of flight didn’t always have to be for training’s sake. 

 

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he sighed. “That was…that was alright.” he announced.

Then, he looked up.

 

A mistake.

 

Link was glowing . Not literally, but the sun behind him and the sheen of sweat wasn’t helping. Hylia, why was he so skinny but so strong?? Did he always have that belt over his chest? Was that a Gerudo thing? When did his eyes start sparkling. Did they always do that? Was that a chosen-hero quirk? Did he always-

 

“...Woah. Earth to Revali.”

 

“I hate you.” Revali spluttered suddenly.

 

Link’s eyes widened before he burst into laughter. “Okay?” he snorted, hands on hips like an idiot. “Anyway, I was saying we should wait for Urbosa before we head back.”

 

The mood seemed to darken instantly, even though the sun was still golden and bright. 

Heading back meant more preparation. Heading back meant they were closer to the castle, closer to gloom, and panic, and malice, and rain…

And fate.

 

“I had fun, though.” Link said quietly.

 

Revali took a deep breath.

 

“Me too.”

 

Link’s eyebrows flew up his face, and he beamed.

 

“Oh, no need for all of that.” Revali scowled, waving him away. “Gods, it was one admission.”

 

“I’m messing with you.” the Hylian chuckled, shoving his wing. 

 

Even though Calamity loomed over their shoulders, Revali felt it slipping away, his priorities shifting for the first time in 5 months of war preparation.

Nearly half a year living as a Champion. Nearly half a year knowing Link.

And nearly 20 minutes of accepting that maybe the heat wasn’t half bad. If he was flying. If he was cooling off after.

If he was with friends.

 

Y'know....like Link.

<—-->

 

Revali awoke that night with a yelp when his tent shook with a bang of thunder.

He nearly toppled from his hammock, throwing aside the canvas of his tent. He lunged out of his tent, eyes widening as they met pure chaos. 

Soldiers were sliding on armour, nurses scattering across the base with supplies. Rain pelted down, yet it stopped none of them in their frantic pursuit of preparation.

 

The Champions were at the podium, Mipha’s hands in Purah’s, Urbosa quiet, trying to communicate with the sky’s roars, and Daruk rolling his shoulders, grim.

Revali sucked in a breath.

…No. It was too soon, it felt too soon - they’d only been here for what, 5 or 6 months?

Then again, you didn’t need to be Link to know Hylia was begging for action. The state of Hyrule was enough.

Revali shucked on his quiver, reaching for the Great Eagle Bow, carved by the village elder and himself in preparation for…well, today.

He inhaled the spray from the rain - the cold burnt his nostrils. He stamped down the tiny pit of worry in his stomach and marched to the Champions. Purah ran to him, saying a thousand words a second, her eyes blown wide and frantic from adrenaline. 

The sky screamed at them again, deafening the world for a brief moment. Gasps and murmurs floated across the base before quickly settling into determined shouts.

Red wisps floated through the air, dragging along the ground. They’d become more and more common each passing day. 

Purah snapped him out of his thoughts with the word, ‘castle’. 

Turning to it, Revali clenched his jaw to fight the urge to vomit.

It was so…red.

So tangled in Calamity - monsters littered the pathways, and bokoblins strapped to horses were galloping wildly across the further plain. Black smoke billowed from the turrets, rendering any safe rooms useless. Ganon had seated himself right in the heart of Hyrule.

 

And now it was his job to scrape him out.

 

Well, Link’s, really.

Where was he?

 

Gently (but not really) pushing Purah aside, Revali speed-walked past Daruk to a higher shelter where he could recognise Zelda’s blonde hair whipping in the wind. With her was her constant shadow. 

Link.

He was dressed in the familiar royal blue, but clad in leather gear and symbols galore. He seemed to shine - the shimmer of the rain illuminating him to the point he looked beyond human. It was…

Revali shook his head. “Princess!” he shouted over the fray. Zelda turned, ignoring the guards beckoning to her as she stepped into the rain.

Revali had to admit, he was shocked at how calm she looked. Impressed, if he dared to go there.

Despite her caring nature, Zelda wore a face fit for a ruler. Sharp, brave, determined. It reminded him of Rhoam, who was probably still in his base area. He didn’t think he’d seen him aside from his occasional orders and appearances.

He’d never admit it, but the word coward seemed to float into Revali’s mind at the thought of him.

Zelda gave him orders, reminding him that Medoh awaited on the nearby mountain, as well as drilling safety procedures into him again. 

“The SOS,” she said sternly, “You hit that button and we will send Teba and troops to you. The others all have the same. If you manage to defend your post and fire your strike, you are free to aid the others or press further. Do not abandon your duty. We need you to fire the laser. Link needs you.”

Furrowing his brows, Revali nodded. He glanced to the balcony, watching the rain pour down Link’s leather chestplate, his hair whipping in the wind. The Hylian turned to him, eyes holding that familiar, unyielding gaze. He nodded, small and strong.  

 

“You have my word.” Revali said to Zelda, but his eyes never left Link’s.

Notes:

:)
...heyyyy..........heyyy..
enjoy the last clump of fluff for a little while !

Chapter 7: "charge!"

Summary:

-> "like a father and a friend."

the battle begins.
revali starts to realise "ally" and "friend" are synonymous.

Notes:

HEYYY i knoooow im on a roll :p
i love writing these :))) hope you enjoy RAHHHHHHGHHGHGH

Hyrule was bathed in blood red. Guardians lined up, each with a soldier at their side. Sheikah technology whirred to life with buzzes of bright blue. It was cold. Freezing. Rain became a light sprinkle while their battle formations were finalised.

King Rhoam stepped out from his shelter, decorated like a war god. He raised his arms, and silence fell upon the forces.

Teba and Harth stood in full armour, grim as they handed Revali a kite shield. 

Teba pursed his lips. “I’m proud of you.” he said suddenly, reaching to rest his palm on Revali’s armour-padded shoulder. “You look…you look like a Champion.”

 

Swelling with pride, Revali lifted his chin, nodding firmly. 

 

He was ready.

 

He was dressed differently from his training. His outfit was, of course, aerodynamic as possible to best suit his power and skill, but it was now accentuated with the royal blue and the crest of Vah Medoh.

His braids were woven tight together with beads from Tulin and other Rito children. Gifts, really, for good luck.

It was kind.

 

Revali could tell Teba had grown to like him. He knew he had. After months of training and arguing, you were bound to bond with someone. 

The only problem was that he didn’t quite know what to do. 

 

Mipha was with her Father and Prince Sidon, holding a brave face but buried in their arms.

Urbosa was knelt in front of Riju, handing her a weapon he knew she’d always loved. 

Daruk was patting the back of a young Goron Revali had yet to meet, exchanging determined promises.

 

Was this his ‘family goodbye’? His well-wishes? 

 

No.

It wasn’t.

 

Because he was going to be back. He knew he would.

 

Revali inhaled, sharp. “I’ll see you shortly, Teba.” he replied finally, with a small, confident smile. 

 

Harth seemed to loosen slightly, letting out a soft chuckle. “If you need us, press the SOS. You’re not alone.” he reminded, firmly.

 

Revali smoothed his scarf. “Yes, yes.” he grinned, “If you insist on stealing my thunder.”

 

Teba rolled his eyes in a poor attempt to mask his concern. 

Revali left the two of them swiftly, marching to the podium where Rhoam instructed him to be when ready. Mipha stood beside him, sniffling. 

 

He’d be lying if his heart didn’t break a little.
Wordlessly, he reached a hand to her shoulder as Teba did for him. She stood a little straighter, nodding.

 

“Thank you.” she whispered quickly, trying to compose herself before Sidon noticed. Revali nodded. She deserved to make her family proud.

 

It felt less terrible, Revali realised, when he remembered everyone else was worried, too. It made him feel like the coolest, or the bravest. Not quite an ego boost as it would have been a monht earlier. More like a determined confidence. It made him feel like an ally. A friend.

However, Urbosa was now talking to Daruk beside them, sending glances at him and Mipha like worried parents. 

Revali knew the red dots on his cheeks were only half-faded. He knew Mipha was only 17. He knew Link and Zelda were his age, too.

He knew Urbosa and Daruk were worried about the responsibility on teenage shoulders.

 

But he also knew they were confident. Confident in their powers, their hope, their strength. 

Urbosa came toward him, smiling so brightly it seemed to pause the gloomy atmosphere. “Knock ‘em dead.” she said simply, before turning back to her position on the podium.

 

Knock ‘em dead he would.

 

“Champions!” a voice bellowed from above. King Rhoam stood at his balcony, eyebrows furrowed with an emotion Revali couldn’t quite read. Beside the King was Zelda, dressed in white and blue. Beside her, as always, was Link.

 

Face tight with courage, the Hero of Hyrule raised his sword. The King yelled something about fighting power, or spirit, or that Hylia was with them…

But Revali could only stare as Link held the glowing blade above his head.

 

He looked like the pinnacle of power. Rhoam seemed to fade away as Link sheathed the sword, his eyes floating down to meet his. Revali’s breath hitched.

 

Link held his gaze for a moment, and let himself crack. He gave Revali the tiniest of winks. 

Revali rolled his eyes, smiling.

 

Stupid Link.

 

He lifted his wrist at his side, flexing his wingtips just slightly enough to spell out - “ Don’t die like a fool.”

 

Link cracked a smile and let his hand sneakily sign back.

 

“Wouldn’t dream of it.”

<—-->

 

With one final salute, Revali climbed up the sandstone ramp of Vah Medoh, the air cool and sweet with destiny. 

“Let’s go.” he whispered. Medoh roared to life, a deafening eagle cry piercing the air; a signal she was awake and ready. 

 

Across the nation, an elephant’s trumpet replied, followed by the roars of a camel and lizard. Revali almost chuckled; he’d had an argument months back with Daruk on what noises lizards made - and why his was a roar.

 

“Because Rudania stands for what’s right! Isn’t that worth a roar?” he’d boomed, smiling.

 

He’d argue more on that later.

Revali flexed his fingers. This wasn’t so bad. It was just like any other takeoff - any other training.

He pressed his palms to the console. “Let’s show everyone what we’re made of, old girl.” he smiled, determined. Medoh’s wings slowly creaked, spreading horizontal as fans whirred to life. Soon enough, he was hovering, then floating, then flying.

 

Revali backed away from the console once Medoh was airborne. The wind was fierce and unforgiving, but the sky was his ally. As usual.

He flicked a lever, the side of Medoh’s chest opening to allow a gust of frigid air inside. Revali rested a palm against the wall and peered out.

 

His heart leapt. Guardians marched forward, crowds of soldiers from every race banding together on their way to the castle. Medoh’s interior beeped, telling him he’d hit his post. Hovering in the sky, Revali set Medoh to a gentle circle motion. She’d slowly fly around the marked point below, according to Purah. Allowed for better aim.

Cocky as ever, Revali let himself soak in the adrenaline, patting the wall of Medoh. “He’s outnumbered,” he said aloud, staring down to the malice-covered castle. “Even with every monster in Hyrule, he doesn’t stand a chance against this.” 

 

He waited, letting the winds pick up and rustle his feathers. It felt like home.

And then, he heard it.

 

A loud, booming horn. The Guardian troops scaled the hills, lunging forward. A voice crackled through the console.

 

“Aim when ready! Watch for threats!” Purah screamed as if she didn’t know about her own installed speakers, “Charge!”

 

Revali flew over to the console once more, staring out through Medoh’s eyes. He turned the beast, pointing it’s nose to align with the castle. A screech echoed from below, and red smoke seemed to billow from the turrets. He was awake. 

 

Good.

 

Medoh began to charge. Sheikah energy flowed through the intricate patterns on her walls, flooding through pipes and engravings. Revali turned back to the open window ledge. All seemed well. It was now that monsters had begun to meet the soldiers - reds, blues, and blacks started blending with their steel and blue.

Guardian beams burst forth, clearing paths for the higher-up knights to run forward. 

 

Revali’s heart leapt as he tried to spot Link. He was going to infiltrate the castle through stealth (which, mind you, Revali could totally do as well), then take out Ganon at the heart while his troops were distracted. Then, the Divine Beasts’ beams would half the health Ganon could have, making Link’s job easier.

 

Well, Zelda had worded it as ‘making Link’s job safer’.

But Revali knew what that Hylian was capable of.

 

He turned back to the console. 45% charged. He ran a gentle hand along the side, almost to encourage Medoh.

There was no sign of any flying enemies - no malice flying up above, no moblins near the ground-dwelling Beasts…

It was almost too good to be true. It seemed Hylia had blessed them in their time of need.

 

Anything for her precious little Link, Revali thought to himself, chuckling. He glanced out again, taking care to have constant surveillance over the fields. The battle was picking up, the roars getting louder, but victorious. Rito archers soared the lower sky, and Revali couldn’t help but beam. 

 

Pride filled his chest at the sight of his people, and how he got to represent them. He turned to the centre once more,

 

...and a foreign, red beam of energy fired straight at him.

Notes:

oopsi teeheee

Chapter 8: "corruptions and doubts."

Summary:

-> "this can't be it."

link is overwhelmed.
revali is underwhelmed.
someone's in trouble.

Notes:

hohoho welcome back!
we're officially entering the CALAMITY ERA
wahoo!

Monsters. Never ending monsters. Constant battle lines. Constant swarms.

It was like nothing Link had ever seen before. It was like a blood moon was rising every 10 minutes. The castle was full. He had to retreat. 

But retreating wasn’t an option anymore.

Slashed once more by a Lizalfos, Link winced through the sharp stings of pain and threw out his palm, lifting a steel door before ducking under and letting it fall atop a bokoblin.

He pressed his back to it, heaving. 

 

This new room was dark. Torches flickered. He couldn’t remember where he was - everything looked so different. Chunks of tar-like malice clogged the exit, pulsing with magic.

Link could still hear roars and war horns from outside. With a shudder, he moved away at the feeling of claws scraping the outside of the steel door.

 

Unhooking the Sheikah slate from his hip, he summoned elixirs from the magical storage, tipping one down. The nostalgic sweetness of it seemed like a cruel joke. He was no longer in the fields healing from a scraped knee, or at a monster camp mending his arm.

 

He was in what was now Ganon’s castle, trying to ignore the blood pooling below him.

And trying, desperately, to ignore the magical squish of his side stitching itself back together.

 

In seconds, Link was brand new. Smooth skin with new tight, white scars that looked like they’d had years to fade. 

He tried to remember what his old knight friends had told him about taking deep breaths, but all seemed to fail as he stood, alone, in the cold darkness of a foreign room.

He pressed a palm to the wall, trying to slide across the damp brick to find something - anything - that would give a clue about where he was in the castle.

He had to get to the Sanctum. No matter what.

 

A bump in the brick. A notch, chipped by something man-made. Link gasped, pressing his fingers against the wall. The single brick pushed backwards to meet the others in its row, and a distant whir picked up. 

A firepit rose from the ground.

 

Link ran to it, searching for a fire arrow in his quiver.

He aimed, and shot, creating flame that bounced across the walls and revealed…

 

Water?

 

The Docks. 

Shit .

Of course he was there - he couldn’t even hear his own breath over the roar of monsters outside, let alone the water.

 

Routing the Castle in his mind, Link remembered a way out. The only problem was it meant going back into the fray. It could be done. There were troops in the courtyard, and guardians-

 

Yes! Guardians!

 

Fumbling for his Sheikah slate, Link quickly sent a message to Purah, asking for Guardian backup. Her drones would easily be able to take out the silver monsters, leaving an easily-paved path for him to access the private Sanctum, where Ganon was swarmed.

 

Purah’s voice suddenly rang out from the slate. With the sound of her voice came crashing and screaming.

 

“They’ve turned! The Guardians! We’ve lost all control! Abort all procedures!”

 

Link’s heart dropped into his stomach.

 

“Link! Do not leave the Castle grounds. If they see you, you are dead. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

 

The Sheikah slate went deathly quiet, its glow fading. Link hooked it to his hip, taking a deep breath.

If the Guardians were under Ganon’s control, did that mean the Divine Beasts were next? Purah predicted it, Robbie predicted it…

 

The slate buzzed.

 

“So what? One less bothersome teammate.” Revali’s voice hesitated. “Stay focussed, Link. Unless that's too difficult?”

 

The sound of his voice sent warmth washing over Link’s body. It had only been half an hour, and he was overjoyed at some kind of familiarity. A sign that Revali was safe. A sign that his humour and wit was stronger than ever.

Inspiration flooded Link’s body. If anyone could motivate him, it was Revali. Nothing brought Link more energy than fighting and competing with his friends.

But then, in his brief moment of stillness, he thought of the other Champions.

Would they be scared? Were they still brave and bold in the face of danger?

 

He knew they were. They had to be.

He had to be, too.

Link shook his body, trying to rid himself of the overwhelming panic. He had a job to do. 

 

The Master Sword pulsed in its sheath.

Ganon was growing stronger.

 

Link turned to the steel door. He remembered the water behind him…

That was it.

He’d let a flurry of monsters come running, only for them to fall into the water and perish. It was brilliant, it was a perfect plan.

Hope began to beat into his heart again. Hylia smiled down on him. He stood back, raising his hand to lift the steel.

 

Until a sharp, desperate series of beeps buzzed from the Sheikah slate.

Link faltered, pushing his mind to the task at hand, trying in a frenzy to lift the door, aim his escape, and ignore what could only be an SOS.

The metal door shrieked, sliding up the walls as a barricade of bokoblins charged in, blinded by rage. Link ran through them in their distraction, sliding under the door and letting it crunch the masses.

 

He ran for the stairs, eyes locked onto the hall spanning out in front of him. He could hear gurgles of malice as it stuck to the walls, sewing broken stone together in terrifying amalgamations of evil. 

 

Jumping across a broken balcony, Link was in the clear. Light from the dull outside made the Dining Hall glow just enough for him to sprint through.

The Sanctum and his destiny were closer than ever.

 

But the SOS was persistent. He couldn’t afford to check it. He couldn’t. He shouldn’t.

 

He did.

Link skidded to a halt, back pressed against the wall.

Oh, no.

 

<—-->

 

 

Revali grabbed the sides of the console, the winds so powerful even Medoh struggled to cope. Titled at the side, the Divine Beast became unsteady.

Revali began to lose control. His brows furrowed, eyes scanning the console for some sort of sign. “You’re not corrupted. Purah’s speaking nonsense.” he whispered for the millionth time, running back to the scorched mark on Medoh’s side. 

Guardian drones were beginning to fight the winds, whirring closer and closer with every passing minute. 

The Castle below would flash with light; Guardians started to crawl in tangles of angry limbs, scaling walls and hills at lightning speed, firing at anything that moved.

 

Revali knew Link wouldn’t reply to his message. But he hoped he’d heard it.

 

He flexed his wingtips, drawing his bow at an oncoming drone. Firing swiftly, he sent it soaring to the Earth with two others in its wake. 

It was easy to defend Medoh, being in the sky and all. Too easy.

 

Almost easy enough to get into position and ready the laser.

But that would mean going to phase 2 of the plan and joining the fray at the Castle.

 

He was itching to. He really was. 

Every inch of Revali’s soul begged him to prove himself. To fly down and take out the betraying guardians, to help the soldiers, to evacuate and carry the wounded to safety.

 

Even just to have someone to banter with mid-fight.

Because the solitude was starting to unnerve him. Sure, there were the terrible roars of war down below, and the shrieks of lasers firing at what they shouldn’t be…but nobody was near him. It started to cement the reality of the war. A fight without comrades. Without allies. With only himself and Medoh.

 

Revali peered out from the balcony, his eyes blinking to adjust to new fumes of smoke and malice drifting even at his altitude.

Maybe he should land. There were no flying enemies except a few rogue drones. It didn’t feel fair or right - he should be doing something - not just standing around on alert, poking his head out from windows of safety!

 

He speed-walked to the console, fidgeting with his belt as he reached out to the call button. Instead, he was stopped in his tracks when it flared red.

An SOS call rang out. 

 

“What?” Revali whispered aloud, eyebrows furrowing. He tapped the console, trying to remember the stupid controls Purah gave him. Nothing was working. No identification or source of the SOS was showing on the display, and the blue Sheikah magic running through the system was starting to pulse with warning. 

 

Revali swallowed thickly, taking a deep breath.

“Don’t get so worked up. You’re completely safe.” he muttered, exhaling slowly. “Too safe for my liking.” he added, gripping the console. “I have to help.” He reached up for the lever to tilt Medoh.

 

“Stop!”

 

In less than a second Revali had three bomb arrows strung and ready to end the source of the new noise echoing through Medoh’s body. His body snapped around, drawing the bow until…

Revali froze.

 

"Link !??”

 

Chapter 9: "jealousy incarnate."

Summary:

-> "i had to warn you. it had to be you."

revali can't seem to work link out.
link can't seem to either.

Notes:

i was listening to this while writing:

https://youtu.be/Rc-LMSpghCI?list=PLlSCs967NiJbaRXgzUUUahbhPQ9gZpFKm

take that as you will <3

“Link!??”

 

The Great Eagle Bow nearly slipped out of Revali’s hands. His whole body felt slack as the shock rushed to his racing mind.

Before him stood none other than Link, his hand steady and held out in a warning. The Hylian’s eyes seemed wild - desperate with something Revali couldn’t read. 

He stared, silent, as Link slowly inched toward him.

 

“Don’t press it.” he begged, swallowing thickly. “Mipha did, and it gave Ganon a gateway to Ruta.”

 

Revali’s stomach felt icy. “What?” He turned to the console. The SOS was still beeping faintly. “Are you saying that’s Mipha calling?”

 

Link lowered his hand, snapping into action as he jogged to Revali’s side. “Yes. Sidon is in the beast with her and more Zora troops. Purah was right about all of it. Have you seen what happened to our guardians?” 

The Hylian’s words seemed to pour out of his mouth, tumbling frantically as he ran a hand through his hair.

 

“Mipha.” Revali muttered, grim. He took a gentle step back from the console, his talons scraping along the steady, vibrating floor. “How did you know all of this?” Revali asked, watching Link fiddle more and more. “How did you get up here without my Gale?”

 

“I didn’t need your Gale.” Link snapped, eyes busy scanning for something. “Mipha’s trying to kill that…blight…or whatever Purah called it. I had to see you. To warn you.”

 

Revali’s grip loosened on his bow. “Me. Not Urbosa, not Daruk?”

 

“They aren’t in trouble yet,” Link wrung his hands, taking deep breaths. “They’re older. Wiser. I had to get to you first. You’re my ally.” he took a breath, “My friend.”

 

A strange sting wedged its way through Revali’s ribcage and into his heart. “Friend.” he echoed, clearing his throat.

It was hard to ignore the fear stemming in his core, and the beeps of Medoh trying to tell him something, but Revali couldn’t help but fixate on Link.

Link who seemed to have paused his destiny to warn him about Ganon, or the infiltrations.

He had been standing still for too long. Nerves launched Revali from his spot on the sandstone. He began to pace, eyes flicking out through the windows every few seconds…just in case.

 

“Surely you could have used your Sheikah slate to warn me?”

 

“I tried.” Link said, holding up the slate, which now bore a red, pulsing hue. “All Sheikah tech is controlled by Ganon.”

 

Revali swore under his breath, clenching his fist at his side. He shook his head. “Well- Now I know. You need to get back down there. I’m fine.” he inhaled slowly. “I’m going to be fine.”

 

“I can’t.” Link’s voice stopped him in his tracks. “I can’t leave you here, knowing you’re going to be in serious trouble.”

 

Revali scoffed. “Link, I have Teba, Harth, and half the Rito forces ready if need be. You shouldn’t be here, really, it’s starting to worry me.” he added in dismay. “I assure you I will be fine.”

“But what if you aren’t?”

 

“Hylia’s sake, Link, I’ll shove you out the window myself! Get back down there and-”

 

“I just need to be sure you won’t hit that button.”

 

Revali rolled his eyes. “Yes, I won’t, you have my word-”

 

“Your word’s not enough!” Link groaned, tugging his hair.

 

Revali threw down his bow. “Hylia’s sake! I’ve got your message, get the hell back down there!” 

 

“No.” Link spat, suddenly, taking a step forward. His hands dropped to his sides. “I’m making sure you don’t mess this up.”

 

The air shifted. Medoh tilted.

Revali scoffed, throwing out his arms. “What does that mean?”

 

Link pointed a finger at him. “You sure weren’t my first pick for Champion, so forgive me if I’m worried you’ll open the gates for Ganon.”

 

Clenching his jaw, Revali exhaled sharply. “And why am I not the first pick?” he asked, venomous.

 

Link scoffed. “You can’t take criticism. You can’t listen. You can’t make friends, and you’re now unprepared to defeat a tiny piece of what I’m killing.”

 

“But the piece of Ganon hasn’t shown up yet. The Beast is empty.” he gestured. “And I am beyond capable of defeating it when it does come. I am skilled. We…we agreed I was skilled.” he trailed off.

 

Medoh shifted again, sending the world onto an unfamiliar angle. Sheikah energy kept on beeping, faster in rhythm now. 

Shifting his talons for balance, Revali felt his core lurch. He looked at Link in confusion. The Hylian’s complaints should feel familiar - funny, even. But the look Link was giving him was…

 

It was different. Wrong.

This whole situation was wrong. First, Link ditched the final battle to warn him specifically about Ganon, and second, he refused to leave after said message was sent?

 

“Why are you stalling? I feel like you’re stalling.” Revali pointed.

 

“Are you now too stuck-up to admit you could be wrong?” Link asked, “I could list a million other things you’re terrible at if you’re bored.”

 

Revali’s face twisted into hurt.

 

“Zelda could, too.” Link continued, irritated. “So could Daruk, Urbosa, and even Mipha. She’s got a lot to say about you , Revali.”

 

Feeling slightly sick, Revali backed away, shuffling. He reached for his bow. “What has gotten into you?” he spluttered.

Plumes of black smoke wafted from behind the console. Something was off with Medoh. Revali felt it in his chest, along with his heartbeat getting quicker and quicker. 

 

“You don’t wanna hear the truth?” Link said, tilting his head. “I could show you. I could show you everything.”

 

Revali’s blood ran cold. The room seemed to grow darker and darker. The smoke had got thicker…when did that happen??

He backed away, nearly hitting the sandstone wall. “Show me- What ??”

 

“What’s wrong?” Link taunted, his voice no longer sounding like his. “Rethinking this whole thing? Getting cold feet?” 

 

“Stop.” Revali commanded, suddenly feeling the cold seep into his skin. “Stop it.”

 

Suddenly, Link reached behind, unsheathing the Master Sword. “You know, Revali…” he tilted it, inspecting the blade with nonchalance. “You could have held this.”

 

Revali shut his eyes, willing him to stop. Willing him to not go there. “Don’t,” he tried to hiss at him, but the word came out weakly.

 

“But I got there first.” Link shrugged. “What. A. Shame .”

 

“Enough!” Hot tears pricked at Revali’s eyes. Too much. It was too much. He was being too much. He was confused, he was scared of what the hell Link thought he was doing…

 

But most of all, he was sinking into the familiar feeling of jealousy brewing inside him.

 

He lunged forward, sending a fist square into Link’s face. The Hylian grunted, head spinning.

He grabbed Revali’s shoulders in rebuttal, wrestling him to the floor. Revali fought, hissing at the pain of Link’s nails, digging past his feathers and into his skin. A punch. A scratch. A yell.

 

They fought like children, angry and fuelled with rage. Landing horizontally with a pained thud, Link grit his teeth, looking down at him. “So much anger, Revali. And for what? To argue?”

Revali kicked him off, reaching for his bow and firing arrows he should be saving. Link made no effort to dodge, taking the hits and rolling across the charred floor. He coughed, hacking through smoke.

 

Stopping himself, Revali heaved, breath coming in waves of what was no longer oxygen, only adrenaline. He smelt smoke.

 

Link rolled to his side, spitting blood onto the floor. “…Tell me this, ‘Champion of the Rito’,” he sneered, looking up at him, “Before all of this, before the others, before me..” He stood, slowly and shakily, his limbs like puppet strings. “Even before Teba saw your talent...”

Revali pursed his lips.

 

“Who had even heard of your name?”

 

Something ugly writhed in Revali’s gut. Stifled pain. Stifled jealousy. 

 

Stifled….everything.

 

Every little moment he’d kicked himself, every time he’d pushed down a comment. Every time he’d shut himself up for the greater good.

It all sat in an untapped ball of rage, right at the pit of his stomach.

Urbosa forbid him. The Princess begged him. Link asked him not to let it out. Not to feel it. Not to act on it.

 

But this was Revali’s turf.

 

He threw his bow, ignoring its clatter to the ground. 

 

“I HATE YOU!” he bellowed, seizing Link by the collar, lifting him to his face, the toes of his boots scraping the floor. 

Revali dragged him, eyes furious. “I DESPISE YOU! It’s not fair, nothing is fair!” Revali cried, stumbling to the edge of Medoh. 

The wind whistled outside. Revali kicked a lever, blinded by rage. The window opened, sending frigid air into the beast.

 

Tears streamed down Revali’s face as he gripped onto Link’s tunic. “You make me hate myself!” he seethed, messy and uncontrolled as he neared the window. “I can’t think when I see you, I can’t focus when I see you! I’m nothing, Link!” he shook him. “Nothing! I’m going to die in this machine, aren’t I?” Revali laughed, dry and hollow. 

“I’m going to die here! And you’re right, Link . Nobody’s ever going to remember my name. Because I’m no prince, no king, no…no hero!” He stumbled forward, standing tall, his arm outstretched as he dangled Link outside the window.

 

His eyes were wild. Darting across Link’s bruised face, scanning, searching for any sign of regret, or apology, or humanity.

 

But Link only grinned. He grabbed Revali’s wrist. 

“Go on.” he whispered against the wind. “Kill me. Kill the Hero . They’d all remember you then.”

 

Revali faltered. 

 

Kill .

Oh, Hylia, no. Never. 

No, this wasn’t- No, he-

Was he about to-?

 

His eyes drifted downwards.

Bloodshed roared below them, Hyrule crying out as Guardians turned on them, sending beams of devastation across the kingdom.

“No,” Revali whispered, watching helplessly. Ruta was barely visible through the fog and smoke, but red blinking light was enough to snap him into reality.

 

Revali looked at Link. His sapphire eyes that always stared at him… they were always so mysteriously blank, or teasing. 

But these were different. These were flickering with malice.

 

Revali’s stomach twisted.

Malice.

 

This wasn’t Link.

 

Revali turned his back to the window, suddenly feeling sick. He shuddered and threw Link across the room. “What are you?” he whispered, watching Link scrape himself up.

 

An eerie chuckle vibrated from Link’s body as it morphed, slowly, into an illusion. 

 

“Show yourself!” Revali yelled, twisting his bow forward and aiming.

 

The mess of smoke, twisting and writhing, slowly began to shape. It formed arms, thick and grotesque, with one wielding a canon, tied to its flesh. Corrupted Sheikah technology threaded around its body, centering a sharp, Guardian’s eye in the centre of its face. “Looks like jealousy turned you into a monster.”

 

Purah was right.

 

Revali lost all feeling in his legs. The monster before him tilted its head, innocent and sickening. “Not so eager to kill me now , are we? I wonder what that says about you?”

 

What did Purah call it? The piece of Ganon that would show up in Medoh?

Revali’s mind raced as he watched it float closer.

 

Windblight.

Windblight Ganon.

 

Revali slammed his hand onto the SOS.

Notes:

hey so .... hey thats not ur twink actually

Chapter 10: "revali, ace archer and aviator."

Summary:

-> "do i fear death? truly?"

two collide,
four survive.

Notes:

WOOHOOOOOOO GUESS WHOS BACK!
as if id let it hit a month with no updates
hope you like this :D

 

also correct this chapter IS named after my favourite revali theme in the AOC soundtrack....teeeheenobody knew that but me okay

Link’s footsteps echoed off of the charred tile. The sounds of battle slowly muted like a thick blanket being pressed against his ears. Warm light spilled in through the windows in puddles of honey. The room was so, so tempting and familiar. The sanctum was always a safe haven, a meeting ground…the place where Link was knighted.

But now, it was where Ganon was hidden. Concealed somewhere. Link’s breath came in shuddering waves, blowing away the thin layer of smoke before his nose.

He kept his guard up, walking slowly forward with his shield braced against his forearm. The Hylian crest stared forward, glinting in the afternoon light.

Malice bled onto the floor, bubbling as he passed it. It seemed to talk - to call out in muted gurgles to its master; to warn him of Link’s arrival.

 

Link thought of death. 

He thought of what it meant to him, especially now, in the chamber he knew like an old friend. Would he miss living?

 

Would he miss the warmth of the sun? The warmth of fire? Of emotion? 

Would he miss the feeling of sword against back? Hand against hilt?

 

Link adjusted his grip on the Master Sword, relishing the slide of his fingers on the metal. Everything felt heightened - every sensation, every tremble of the earth. He was feeling it like he’d never feel again.

 

Link had never feared death.

Adrenaline was his ally, and risk was part of his legacy. But death had never, ever scared him.

 

Until now.

Until now, when a wave of magic trickled down his spine. Until now, when the sword in his hand suddenly boomed a bright blue. Until now, when splinters of the ceiling began to crumble onto him.

Until now, when an almighty roar nearly burst his eardrums.

 

Link’s head jerked upward as a giant, pulsating red mass began to melt from the chandelier. Veins of malice pounded a giant, beating heart until it burst. Stunned, Link could only watch as it thrust forward smoke and limbs into the sanctum.

 

Ganon emerged like a spider - mutant and horrible with a laugh that spun vibration through Link’s very bones.

And as Link stared him down; a monster that was 10 times his size….

He felt pure, unbridled fear.

 

Time seemed to stop. He didn’t know what to say. Should he even speak? He couldn’t if he tried, and he wasn’t about to sign at Ganon - he’d be killed in seconds.

His own heart felt like it mirrored Ganon’s as it beat to a drum of terror. His boots slid from under him. Was he losing his balance? Ganon raised his arm. It felt slow. Too slow. The limb came crashing down, straight above Link’s head. It was slow. Too slow. Too slow. Too fast-

 

Link threw himself left, skidding across the floor and just barely landing on his feet. He slapped himself, the sting forcing his eyes forward and open in time for him to dodge another attack. Ganon was speaking. Yelling. Saying something about cowardice, or destiny…b ut it fell upon deaf ears. 

Link could hear nothing but his heartbeat and the rush of blood thrumming through his body.

 

It had begun. The fight had begun. He had to do this. He had to…to…

Link rolled again, and again, until the dodging felt like it was bruising every surface of his body. It hurt. Everything hurt. Ganon was growing enraged. The sanctum seemed to spin - to melt into a storm of red and black and…

 

His hip buzzed. It was the tiniest vibration Link had against him, but the only one that caught his consciousness. He rolled again, clutching the Sheikah slate in its hold.

Revali’s SOS chimed three times.

Link nearly vomited.

 

<—-->

 

“Come forward! Face me like the evil I am destined to face!” 

 

Revali threw his wings out. He soared above Medoh’s wing, darting through the columns it sprouted for cover. Windblight Ganon flew after him, spawning in a swarm of blue. Canons fired, whistling past Revali as he took flight, firing arrows straight into Windblight’s eye. 

The monster winced, groaning in pain as it flailed. Revali dove forward, firing three arrows at a time.

It was freezing. The distant beep of his SOS was still ringing from the inside of Medoh. He’d abandoned it by now. Crying wasn’t going to help. Teba and Harth weren’t going to help against this.

 

Revali’s ego could have been half its size and he still would have known he was the only one who could kill Windblight.

Squinting against the sparks at his arrow’s tip, Revali focussed ahead. The sky was blood-red, and the world was darker than he’d like it to be, but it didn’t stop him. 

 

Nothing was going to stop him.

He had to get to Link’s aid. The real Link. 

 

The real Link, Revali had realised, didn’t give a damn about status. He didn’t care about reputation, or hierarchies. 

Revali dodged a canon’s fire, spinning midair.

The real Link was fighting for good. Fighting for destiny. Fighting for his allies and for the kingdom he lived in.

And that was something Revali had dreamt he’d die fighting for.

 

Even with the fear pumping through him, Revali continued to fight with every muscle in his body. Every moment of training had led to this - ever since the moment he received Zelda’s letter he knew Hylia had chosen him. He knew he had to amount to something.

Destiny coursed through his veins, fuelling his fight further than anyone’s he’d seen before. Windblight was weak. He had to be. He was winning! He was really, truly winning!

 

Wiping sweat from his brow, Revali flew higher, hearing Medoh cry out. “Up here!” he yelled, watching Windblight’s eye focus on him. The beeps of his guardian laser began, a rhythm Revali had trained to recognise.

He hovered, bow ready, feeling the target straight on his chest.

 

“And…” he whispered, waiting. “Fire.”

 

The laser came hurling. Revali dropped his wings to his side, falling through the air at lighting speed, diving past the laser and inches from the floor when boom! -

He pulled his bow, slowing time. He shot a row of arrows straight at Windblight, nearly whooping aloud at the explosion that followed. He landed on his feet, spluttering at the mess of smoke. 

Cautious but confident, he pulled back his bow. Windblight shakily reared its head. It beeped erratically, laser flickering. Revali heaved, exhausted beyond words. 

 

“Come on.” he whispered, urging it to look at him. “Come on…”

 

His legs wobbling against his will, Revali fought his fatigue and yelled. “Face me! Face the Champion of the Rito!”

Windblight turned, eye widening.

 

Revali fired.

Windblight screamed, shrill and desperate. The Great Eagle bow clattered to the ground as Revali covered his ears, falling to his knees. Ribbons of red and black exploded and shreds of  malice flew off in chunks. Medoh shook and cried, before stilling to a halt.

 

He’d done it.

Revali uncovered his ears.

He’d killed Ganon. He’d brought justice to his village like he promised he could. He’d proven every ally right, and every foe wrong.

 

Nobody else mattered.

Nobody else but…

 

Turning himself to the centre terminal, Revali shot an arrow to the button, whirring Medoh’s backup power to life. He tumbled to the console, tilting the beast through the air.

 

He looked below him at Rito Village. Monsters still riddled the bridges, but he had to fight the urge to help.

Hylia knew Link needed him.

Or maybe he needed Link. Needed to see him. Needed to know he wasn’t…

 

Revali pressed his forehead against the sandstone console, exuding gratitude in the touch. He pushed down the control to send his dedicated laser down to the castle. Medoh screeched, firing with gusto as a bright red beam sliced through the air.

A distant roar. It had hit.

 

“Yes!” Revali ran to the ledge, opening Medoh’s window once more. He wondered, maybe, if he had passed Rito Village. 

He looked down.

Link’s terrified sapphire eyes stared back at him.

 

Revali’s breath caught in his throat. He shook his head, blinking hard to will away the memory of Link hanging from the window. 

There was no time to dwell on it. Or the throbbing pain in his side.

 

Diving from the window, Revali coasted through the winds with sheer grit…

But through the whistling gusts, he could just make out distant cheers and cries from Rito Village below him. His heart swelled.

A roar erupted from northeast followed by another red laser - Daruk had been successful. Then in quick succession, Urbosa’s followed, straight like an arrow from the peaks of Gerudo. 

Revali carried himself further and further at inhuman speed until the wind turned smoky.

 

During his fight aboard Medoh, the lights had failed, leaving only the sky and his arrows’ glow for light. Rito couldn’t see in the dark, but surely if he could overcome it then, he could overcome it now in the smoky fog.

Revali turned himself to what he felt was east, letting the breeze carry him. A mountain whirred by at his right, the rock nearly grazing his elbow joint. Cursing, he re-directed, nearly losing balance. This wasn’t working. Altitude wouldn’t help, but nor would staying put…

“Hylia, guide me to-”

 

A bellowing trumpet pierced the air, and the final, fourth laser shot through the air, just southeast of Revali. 

Mipha!

 

Revali would be lying if he said a smile didn’t start to fight its way onto his beak. The light from the final laser’s glow was just enough to illuminate the path below him. Thank Hylia for Mipha.

Shoving aside the exhaustion creeping into his body, Revali finally arrived in Hyrule field. Within seconds, he leapt into action. Rain began to patter down his back as he grabbed his bow in his talons. He readied a flurry of arrows. Moblins fell to their knees and vanished in a row. 

 

“Well I’ll be!” boomed a voice from below him. Daruk beamed at him. “Good to see you, kid!”

 

“It is, isn’t it?!” Revali fired back, grinning and tossing Daruk a bokoblin with his talons. “I told you I’d be back!”

 

A crackle of lightning struck down a guardian near them. “That you did!” came Urbosa’s voice. Behind her was Mipha, the pinnacle of ‘determined’. She gave Revali a grin that looked like Sidon’s own, before throwing her spear forward to take on monsters.

 

“Hurry! Link needs us inside!” she called, allowing the Hylian troops to take over. Revali nodded.

 

“Link needs us.” echoed in his head as the Champions fought their way through the masses. 

 

The Castle doors were lopsided, an easy open.

 

“Link needs us.”

Notes:

does anyone else think that bird guy's obsessed in a gay way now...